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Research Article| Volume 10, ISSUE 2, P169-177, March 1992

Cocaine-induced myocardial infarction: An analysis and review of the literature

  • Judd E. Hollander
    Correspondence
    Reprint Address: Judd E. Hollander, MD, Emergency Department, Bronx Municipal Hospital Center, Pelham Parkway South and Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY 10461
    Affiliations
    Emergency Department, Bronx Municipal Hospital Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
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  • Robert S. Hoffman
    Affiliations
    Medical Toxicology, New York City Poison Center, and Emergency Medicine and Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
    Search for articles by this author
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0736-4679(92)90212-C
Cocaine-induced myocardial infarction: An analysis and review of the literature
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      Abstract

      The objectives of this paper are to analyze the case reports of cocaine-induced myocardial infarction and to better define the clinical characteristics of this syndrome. An English language literature search was carried out using MEDLINE, and a bibliographic review of all identified articles and book chapters was conducted. Ninety-one cases of cocaine-induced myocardial infarction were identified. Intranasal, intravenous, and inhalational routes of abuse all resulted in myocardial infarction. Forty-four percent of patients had previously noted chest pain. Eighty-seven percent of patients were cigarette smokers. Two-thirds of patients had their myocardial infarction within 3 hours of the use of cocaine (with a range of 1 minute to 4 days). Cardiac catheterizations were abnormal in 30 of 54 patients (55%). Of the 24 patients with reported follow-up, 14 (58%) had further ischemic events after discharge. In conclusion, cocaine-induced myocardial infarction identifies a group of young individuals who may be prone to recurrent complications after initial presentation.

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      Article info

      Publication history

      Accepted: August 30, 1991
      Received in revised form: August 19, 1991
      Received: March 25, 1991

      Identification

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0736-4679(92)90212-C

      Copyright

      © 1992 Published by Elsevier Inc.

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